Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
7~73
Product Control Apparatus
This invention relates to product control apparatus and
is particularly concerned with conveying of products in a
production line system.
In a high speed production line system, it can be neces-
sary at certain conveying sections to change the orientation
of the products being conveyed, and this can often result in
having to slow down or even stop the production line. Also
it can be necessary to divert respective products into
different paths of movement. Such operations have heretofore
been carried out by separate systems, inevitably resulting in
a relatively large overall machine which is disadvantageous,
as optimum use of floor space is highly desirable.
According to the present invention there is provided
product control apparatus comprising means for conveying
products along a path and means for changing the orientation
of the products during conveying uovement along the path, the
conveying means including support means adapted directly to
receive the products such that the latter can be moved
relative thereto, and means arranged for engagement directly
with the products to change the orientation of the latter
relative to the support means.
Means may be provided for feeding products onto the
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conveying path in synchronism with the positioning oF said
selected ones oF the support members. The product feeding
means may comprise a pair of parallel, transversely spaced
endless chains with drive means therefor, and a plurality of
flight bars extending between the chains at spaced locations,
whereby the flight bars are movable into the conveying path to
move products through the feed unit.
Preferably an electronic control system is provided for
driving the chains oF the product feed unit and the product
conveying means in a synchronised relation.
The support means may comprise a multiplicity of sùpport
members extending transversely of the conveying path, at least
selected ones of the support members being movable transver-
sely of the conveying path. Preferably the product engagement
means is provided on each of said selected support members and
comprises a projection which is upwardly extending in use.
Each of said selected ones of the support members pref-
erably has cam means engageable in a profiled track to control
the transverse movement, and the cam means may extend
downwardly of the support members in use.
Alternatively the product engagement means comprises a
plurality of projections which are movable in paths parallel
to the conveying path and adjacent to respective sides
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thcreof. The projections may extend in use to bc cngagable
with the produrts from above, and may be provided on a pair of
parallel, transversely spaced endless chains, each of which
has one pass adjacent to a respective side of the conveying
path, the drivc means being adapted to move the innermost
passes in opposite directions. One of the chains may be
adapted to be driven at a greater linear speed than said other
chain.
Preferably the apparatus includes means for automatic-
ally changing the position of the products during conveying
movement along the path.
Each of the other ones of the support members preferably
has cam means cngagablc in a further profiled track to also be
movable transvcrsely of thP convcying path. The further pro-
filed track is preferably adapted to divert respective groups
of said other ones of the support members into different paths
of movemcnt, whcreby the products supported by said respective
groups can be subsequently moved along said differcnt paths.
Embodiments of the present invention will now bc
described by way of example only with reference to thc
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accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of part of a productcontrol apparatus according to one embodiment of the
invention;
Fig~ 2 is a schematic perspective view in detail of part
of the apparatus of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view showing further details
of the apparatus;
Fig. 4 is a schematic side elevation of part of the
apparatus.
Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of part of a product
control apparatus according to another embodiment of the
invention.
,
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, one embodi-
ment of a high speed production line system includes a product
conveying section having a pair of parallel, transversely
spaced outboard precision roller chains 10, 12 driven by
suitable drive sprockets. Extending between the chains 10,12
and fitted to each chain roller pitch are a pair of parallel,
,
spaced crossbars 14. On the crossbars 14 associated with each
chain roller pitch is mounted a pallet 16 or 16A formed of two
halves fitted together respectively from above and below the
bars 14 whereby the latter extend through the respective
formed pallet. The latter is slidable on the bars 14 and is
of reduced length relative to the bars 14. In each grouping
17 of six pallets, the first and sixth pallets 16A as shown
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in Fig. 1, are longer than the others for a purpose
hereinafter described. A further pallet 16 spaces adjacent
groupings 17. The pallets 16,16A are preferably formed of a
plastics material but any other suitable material could be
utilised. It will be appreciated that the pallets ain use
collectively form a continuous mat to act as a support for
products 18 being conveyed thereon.
To provide for control of movement of the pallets 16
relative to the conveying path, each of the pallets 16 has a
cam follower in the form of a downwardly extending peg 20
located substantially centrally of the length of the pallet
16. The peg 20 engages within a cam track (not shown) which
is within the conveying section over the length of the
conveying path and constrains the pallets 16 to move in a
straight line centrally between the chains 10,12.
The conveying section is specifically designed for
changing the orientation of a pack 22 of six products 1~.
Each pack 22 can be delivered onto the conveying pallets 16
with the products 1B in two parallel rows of three, the rows
being parallel to the chains 10,12. The conveying section is
designed to move each pack 22 through 90 as shown.
For this purpose each of the pallets 16A has a cam
follower in the form of a downwardly extending peg (not
shown) positioned towards a respective end of the pallet 16A.
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Alternate ones of the pallets 16A have their pegs located
towards the ends nearest the chain 12, whereas the others of
the pallets 16A have their pegs located towards the ends
nearest the chain 10. A pair of cam tracks 26,2~ are prov-
ided within the conveying section on respective sides of the
longitudinal centre line thereof whereby transverse or cross-
over movement of the pallets 16A is controlled as hereinafter
described.
Each of the pallets 16A further has an upstanding post
30 of circular configuaration which is offset centrally along
the length of the respective pallets 16A to the side remote
from the peg. As an alternative the post 30 may be replaced
by a roller on a vertical axis.
When a pack 22 of products lB is delivered onto a
grouping 17 of the conveying section, the products 18 overlie
the pallets 16A in the grouping 17 and the pallets 16 there-
between. The cam tracks 26,28 each have such a profile ini-
tially that the pallets 16A are at their outermost positions
on respective sides with the respective posts 30 closely
adjacent respective sides of the pack 22. As the pack 22 is
moved along the conveying path the profile of the cam tracks
26,28 is such as to move the respective pallets 16A inwardly
from either side, whereby the posts 30 engage against adjac-
ent end ones of the products 18 in the pack 22 and consequ-
ently begin to rotate the latter. During continued movement
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along the conveying path, the pallets 16A cross-over gradu-
ally to their other outermost positions, with the posts 30
having moved the products 18 through 90 until the products 18
overlie only the pallets 16 in the grouping 17.
It is preferred to have the pallets 16A in a plane
slightly lower than the plane of the pallets 16 so that no
drag is created when the packs 22 are dividing and passing
over the pallets 16A towards the end of the conveying section
52.
The delivery of packs 22 to the turning section has to
be synchronised with the positioning of the pallets 16A.
The delivery of the packs 22 is by way of a rnetering
convryor 54 (Fig. 4) from where the packs 22 are transferred
to an acceleration conveyor 56. The latter funtions to create
gaps 58 between adjacent ones of the packs 22 and moves the
latter to an entry end of a feed unit (not shown). The latter
comprises a housing having opposed-side walls and a pair of
parallel transversely spaced endless chains each inwardly
adjacent a respective side wall. Each chain passes around
respective ones of pairs of sprockets, only one chain 60 being
shown schematically. Drive is imparted to one of the pairs of
sprockets from a drive external of the feed unit. Extending
between the chains 60 at spaced locations along the length
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thereof are a plurality oF flight bars 62. The packs 22 pass
between the respective side walls of the feed unit from the
acceleration convèyor 56 onto the cross bars 16, 16A, the
conveyors 54, 56 being so synchronised with the chains 60 that
each of the flight bars 62, on its movement into the path of
the packs 22, locates between respective spaced ones of the
packs 22 and then engages with the forward pack on the
acceleration conveyor 56 to push the forward pack onto the
pallets 16, 16A of the turning section. The chains 60 are
synchronised with the turning section to accurately place the
packs 22 into position thereon.
Various modifications may be made without departing from
the invention. For example, the grouping of pallets may be a
grouping of five pallets with the first and fifth pallets
being provided with posts and therefore corresponding to the
pallèts 16A. Between each grouping there may be provided four
further pallets, thereby increasing the spacing between adja-
cent packs. Further, the pallets 16A may be of substantially
the same length as the pallets 16 with appropriate modifica-
tion of the cam tracks, in which case each post 30 would be
positioned adjacent one end of the respèctive pallet 16A.
Also upstanding members other than circular posts or rollers
may be utilised. The construction of the pallets may differ
from that described and shown.
When a pack 22 of the products requires to be delivered
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g
on to the conveying section in three parallel rows oF two
products, i.e. turned through 9û'' relative to that described
in relation to the first embodiment to be delivered sideways
rather than endways on to the conveying section, there is
provided a turning arrangement wherein turning members move in
a path at 90 to that of the turning members described in
relation to the first embodiment. Such a further embodiment
is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.
.
The conveying section may be provided with the same
arrangement of pallets 16, 16A if the conveying section is
intended to be versatile in providing for turning of packs 22
delivered in either orientation. It will be appreciated that
provision would then have to be made for alternative cam
tracks retaining the pallets 16A at their outermost positions
when products are deIivered sideways. It will also be
appreciated however that the conveying section may comprise a
plurality of the pallets 16 only.
To provide for turning of the packs 22 which are delive-
::
red in a sideways orientation, there is provided a pair of
parallel, transversely spaced endless chains 100, 102 driven
by suitable drive sprockets. Each chain 100, 102 is mounted
above the conveying path for the packs 22 and has transversely
spaced passes with respective turning posts 104, 106 equi-
spaced along the length of the chains and extending downwardly
therefrom for a purpose hereinafter described. The laterally
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innermost passes of the chains 100, 102 ar~ adjacen~ respec-
tive sides of the conveying path. Each of the posts 104, 1n6
may be of circular configuration. The chain 100 has a shorter
length than the chain 102, with the spacing of the posts 104
on the chain 100 being less than the spacing of the posts 106
on the chai.n 102. The li.near speed of the chain 102 is grea-
ter than the linear speed of the acceleration conveyor 56, the
latter being greater than the linear speed of the chain 100.
When a pack 22 of the products is delivered on to the
conveying secti.on in a sideways orientation, a respective one
of the posts 106 in the laterally innermost pass of the chain
102 initially engages with a rear face of the pack 22 and .`
moves with the latter until the front face thereof is
engaged by a respective one of the posts 104 on the laterally
innermost pass of the chai.n 100. Continued movement in
opposite directions of the inner passes of th? chains 100, 102
effects rotat.ion of the pack 22 until the latter is moved
through 90 and, at t.he end of the product turning section,
can continue through t.he further conveying section 52 as
described in relation to the first embodiment.
It may be more appropriate to provide chains suitably
located so that. turning posts can extend laterally into
engagement with the packs, depending on the shape and size of
the packs.
The apparatus enables a t.urning action to re-position
products being conveyed t.hrough 90 over a distance of less
t.han one metre travel, and the turning can be carried out
within a production line system at high speeds both positively
and accurately.
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At the end of the product turning section the pallets
16, 16A continue through a further conveying section 52
(Fig. 3). Throughout the section 52 the cam tracks for the
pegs of the pallets 16A retain the latter in their outermost
positions.
Also at the end of the product turning section, the cam
track for the pegs of the pallets 16 is associated with set
fork guides to divide into two guide tracks, or alternatively
a switch block is provided, whereby alternate groups of the
pallets 16 supporting a respective pack 22 of the products are
moved into one of the guide tracks, while the other groups of
the pallets 16 are moved into the other of the guide tracks.
In this way the same pallets 16 as supported the packs 22
through the turnlng section, support the packs 22 also through
the conveying section 52 and `simultaneously separate the packs
22 into different paths of movement for subsequent use as
necessary. The packs may be divided, for example according to
colour, size, etc., and can be subsequently moved via transfer
rollers (not shown) onto an outgoing conveyor.
When reaching the end of the conveying section 52,
return cam tracks are provided to guide both the pallets 16
and 16A in a lower path, by means of their pegs, back to their
original positions, to enable the turning and dividing opera-
tions to re-commence once the pallets 16, 16A return to the
upper part of the conveying section at the product feed unit.
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Control of the apparatus is effected by way of an
electronic control system which ensures sychronised operation
of the product feed unit with the turning section. Also to
minimise intermittent operation, the control system can
automatically adjust the speed of delivery of products to the
feed unit on demand. The control system further includes a
mimic display indicative of the status of the apparatus.
The apparatus is preferably designed so that the turning
operation can be rendered ineffective if required, for example
where the packs do not require turning.
The apparatus is designed so that changes in operation
are easily carried out, for example to eliminate turning of
packs in the turning section and to handle, for example, four
bottle packs as an alternative to six bottle packs. The
apparatus can also be adjusted to separate into more than two
lanes if required. It is further possible to adjust the
outfeed centres of the paths or lanes into which the packs are
separated, for example by way of a doubled threaded bar
controlled by an externally accessible hand wheel.
In another possible arrangement, for example where mark-
ing of products is required, the packs may be turned through
90 as hereinbefore described for marking of the packs,
before, on the same apparatus, being automatically turned back
through 90 after marking. It will be appreciated that the
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cam tracks may be modified to enable this two-stage turning,
while otherwise the apparatus is as hereinbefore described.
After the two-stage turning, the packs can be moved into a
multi-lane arrangement, again as previously described.
Various modifications may be made without departing from
the invention. For example the relative positions of the
pallets 16, 16A may differ from that described and shown to
accommodate different arrangements of the products being
conveyed Also the construction of the pallets may differ
from that described and shown, and the design of the product
feed unit may also differ from that described and shown,
provided the required synchronism can be achieved.
The integrstion of the turning and dividing operatio~ns
in a single apparatus provides the advantages of full utilis-
ation of components and conside~rable reduction in overall
length of the a~pparatus, for example one metre.
The apparatus is also adapted to be used in synchronism
with~d~fferent types of known equipment upstream of the turn-
ing section 50, such as a can or bottle orientor, a hi-cone
jacket pack, cluster psck or other packaging or handling unit.
The apparatus is therefore very versatile as well as making
optimum use of the components thereof.
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